Co-Assembled Cryptotanshinone Derivative and Glycyrrhizic Acid Carrier-Free Hydrogel: A Synergistic Approach to Acne Treatment

Traditional anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drugs often fail to address all aspects of acne vulgaris and are prone to causing adverse effects such as skin irritation, dryness, and allergic reactions. Consequently, there is a growing preference for the exploration of natural and safer therapeutic agents from plant sources. In this study, we developed a coassembled CU-GA hydrogel formed by cross-linking small active molecules─glycyrrhizic acid (GA) and a cryptotanshinone-peptide conjugate (CTS-G-GLU, CU). The CU-GA hydrogel exhibits a distinct nanofibrous structure under a microscopic view. Material characterization and molecular dynamics simulations explain that its assembly mechanism may be related to a series of noncovalent interactions. Preliminary acne treatment tests show that the hydrogel has high skin permeability, biocompatibility, and effective antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This efficient formulation, free of external gelling agents, is particularly suitable for sensitive, acne-prone skin and will revolutionize the development of emerging acne treatment hydrogels.